Google Workspace AI is Free

Google Makes AI Features in Workspace Free, But Raises Prices

Google is bringing all its AI features to its Workspace app at no extra cost as it continues to race Microsoft, OpenAI, and others to build the AI-powered office suite of the future.

A Catch: Increased Prices for Workspace Plans

There is a catch, though: as it makes this change, Google is increasing the price of all Workspace plans. Jerry Dischler, Google’s president of cloud applications, tells me companies will pay roughly $2 more per month per user for the AI-enabled Workspace than they were paying before.

What’s Included in Workspace AI

Workspace AI includes things like email summaries in Gmail, generated designs for spreadsheets and videos, an automated note-taker for meetings, the powerful NotebookLM research assistant, and writing tools across apps. It also comes with access to the Gemini bot itself, which is maybe Google’s single most powerful AI tool; the bot can do standard chatbot thing but can also help you find information, search across all your stuff, and more.

Why the Change?

Dischler points out that Google is the most vertically integrated AI product out there right now, but that only matters if people are using the whole system. Now, everyone can. “Most of the time, when we talk to companies who are using AI, their big impediment is cost reasons,” he says. “That’s why they go in so gingerly. Like, ‘wow, this is a lot of money, and let’s prove the value.’ All right, now you get the AI. You have the value.”

Competition and the Future

Google’s not the only company walking back its AI up-charge: Microsoft announced in November that its own Copilot Pro AI features, which had also previously been a $20 monthly upgrade, would become part of the standard Microsoft 365 subscription. So far, that’s only for the Personal and Family subscriptions, and only in a few places. But these companies all understand that this is their moment to teach people new ways to use their products and win new customers in the process. They’re betting that the cost of rolling out all these AI features to everyone will be worth it in the long run.

Conclusion

Google’s decision to make its AI features in Workspace free, but raise prices, is a strategic move to stay competitive in the market. By offering AI features to all users, Google aims to increase adoption and usage of its Workspace suite, and to differentiate itself from competitors like Microsoft. The increased prices may be a drawback for some users, but the benefits of having access to AI-powered tools across all Google apps may outweigh the cost.

FAQs

Q: What is Workspace AI?
A: Workspace AI includes features like email summaries in Gmail, generated designs for spreadsheets and videos, an automated note-taker for meetings, the powerful NotebookLM research assistant, and writing tools across apps.

Q: Is Workspace AI free?
A: Yes, Workspace AI is now free for all users, but the price of all Workspace plans has increased by $2 per month per user.

Q: What is the Gemini bot?
A: The Gemini bot is a powerful AI tool that can do standard chatbot things, but also help you find information, search across all your stuff, and more.

Q: Is this a one-time change, or will other companies follow suit?
A: This is not a one-time change, as Microsoft has already announced that its own Copilot Pro AI features will become part of the standard Microsoft 365 subscription. Other companies may follow suit in the future.